The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1887-04-16
Love or ONES COUNTRY.
The Noble Sentiments Uttered by an
Irish Protestant Patriot in
Dublin.
Mr.. TOMBSTONE, OF. BELFAST,
Lays Before His Co-Religionists the
Greed of the United
Irishmen.

at the latest monthly meeting of the
Irish Protestant Home Rule Associa-
ZION, which was held in the Central
Lecture Hall, Westmoreland street.
Dublin, upon the motion Of Mr.. G. FL.
Oldham, the chair was taken: amid ap-
plause, by MI. James Johnstone, of
Belfast. There WAS a large attendance.
Among those present were Thomas A.
Dickson, J. P; Rev. Prof. Galbraith,
F. T. c. D.; j. Johnstone, J. z. AL
fred Webb, Aid. Wjnstanley, Surgeon
General King. J. F. Keatinge, T. G.; r.
Gregg, T.. c.; James Walker, G, H.
Oldham, Edward Purser, Surgeon
Miles, F. j. Gregg, Amos Varian,
Henry e. Brown, "A. Andrews, Thomas
Mason, and others.
The chairman, Mr.. Jo}nstone, in
opening the proceedings, said
II heartily thank the members of the
Dublin Centre of the Irish Protestant
Home Rule Association for asking me
TO preside at this monthly meeting.
From my inexperience and want OF
ability, I am very poor representative
OF Northern Professionalism in fact [
would have been quite Justified in re-
fusing the honor on those grounds; but
knowing that every great cause must
possess followers us we'll as leaders,
that the halt, the blind, the MAIN. and
the dumb are to be found, and it true
hearted and sincere must be borne with
in order that they may be cured of their
weaknesses and made strong as oth; Y
men. (Hear, near.) I came here this
evening hoping to be strengthened and
revived in spirit in the cause which We
all have at heart--the deliveran ce Of our
country from a state Of bondage and
captivity into state of civil and po
!itical liberty. OF complete ind pend
ence whereby Irishmen shall have the
right of making laws for ireland OH
Irish soil. (Hear, hear and applause.)
l lay claim to be heart and soul with
you in the desire for the regeneration Of
our country. [ have faith in my coun
try I have faith in the people Of Ire
land--(hear, hear)--in their honesty,
justice and sense Of fair play and l
can answer for the northern members
of the Irish Protestant Home Rule
Association that they are fully deter
mined to keep in line with the rest Of
Ireland, and go on agitating and work
ing night and day, using every means
legitimate and reasonable to further the
great cause, and not giving up the
srruggle--not resting even until Ire
land is crowned with that which is the
ambition and plide OF all true lrishmen
autonomy full and complete for their
country. I am pleased to meet my fel~
low Protestant Home Rulers in this the
capital Of our native land. AS brothers
there is no reason we should not join
hand in hand, and also join with our
Catholic brethren all over ireland.
Then all, gil. as true, loyal, patriotic,
and devoted lrishmen, unite in the fur
therauce Of everything that would be
for the good and greatness Of Ireland
aud the benefit and comfort of the
whole people; and, not only SO, but
unite as one man in opposing the enc
mics Of our country, and bringing to
naught their evil designs and workings
towards us. The blight and curse on
Ireland to-day is English rule, still fur
ther aggravated by the venomous sting
and blighting Watt of Toryism. What
has been the history Of this foreign rule
in Ireland 2 1t has been complete sub
jugation of the people, the attempted
crushing out of the national spirit, pa
triotjsm and freedom, and the ruling of
Ireland entirely in the interest of Eng
land, or, rather, the ruling over Ireland
for the benefit and proftof England. AS
Irish Protestants, we demand Home
Rule for Ireland We do not ask for it
as favor, we demand it as a right.
English rule has been tried and found
wanting. It has proved a failure, po-
litically, socially and morally. The trust
has been abused. Instead Of ruling the
people for the people, England has
ruled over the people, against the peo-
pie, and to the ruin of the people;
hence the trust must be given up and
delivered into the hands of the people of
Ireland. Nothing short OF this will suf-
fee, no half measure will avail moth
ing less than an entire departure, bag
and baggage, will satisfy the aspira-
tions of the people. 1t is true that each
must bear it's own burdens. Ireland
cannot, without degradation, transfer
to any other nation under heaven the
responsibility Of managing Irish affairs;
and what is more, no nation can AFRO.
gate the power to do so. We are deter
mined to rescue Ireland from the for
eign interference with which at present